Washington State University Athletics
Cougar Soccer Adds Kelis Barton as Early Enrollee
December 18, 2017 | Soccer
The freshman joins the team for the spring.
PULLMAN, Wash. – Coming off a sweet 16 run in the NCAA Championships, Washington State Soccer Head Coach Todd Shulenberger has already begun to look ahead to next season as the third-year head coach announced the addition of Kelis Barton (Renton, Wash.) for the spring. Barton, an early enrollee for the Cougs, becomes the first to officially sign with WSU for the 2018 recruiting class after signing a financial aid agreement Monday afternoon.Â
After graduating from Renton High School and by enrolling in the spring, Barton is eligible to begin training with the team immediately and play with the Cougs during their spring exhibition season.
"Kelis comes from one of the top club teams in the country, Crossfire Premier out of Seattle," said Shulenberger. " She is a very athletic, versatile defender. She is very good in the attack, is gifted technically, and is a proven winner. I am so excited to have Kelis join us this spring. This gives us a huge jump start into next fall."
A graduate of Renton HS, Barton was a three sport standout as she excelled not only on the soccer pitch but also on the cross country trails and the track. On the pitch and as a member of the Crossfire Premier soccer club, Barton led her team to a national runner-up finish last season in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). Final-four participants in each of the last three seasons in the ECNL, Barton guided her squad to back-to-back conference championships in 2016 and 2017 to earn their spot in the postseason. In addition to club play, Barton has been a regular invitee to Washington's Olympic Development Program the last three years.Â
Off the field, Barton has proven to be one of the top runners in the state of Washington after leading Renton HS to three state titles in cross country in four years. A two-time MVP in cross country, Barton took her talents to the track as well where she was a two-time state champion in the 800 meter, winning the title twice in three years in both 2014 and 2016.
For Barton and the rest of the returning Cougars, the new semester begins January 8 while WSU begins its training regimen on Jan. 10.
